Description: Ethical review is a fundamental process that seeks to evaluate the ethical implications of a project or research. This process involves a critical analysis of the moral and ethical aspects that may arise throughout the development of an initiative, ensuring that the rights and dignity of all parties involved are respected. Ethical review focuses on identifying potential risks, benefits, and the fairness in the distribution of these, as well as transparency and accountability in research. This process is essential in various fields, including medicine, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence, where decisions can have a significant impact on society. Ethical review is not limited to evaluating the research itself but also considers the social and cultural context in which it takes place, promoting a holistic approach that seeks the overall well-being. In summary, ethical review is a key tool to ensure that technological and scientific advancements are carried out responsibly and with a firm commitment to ethics and morality.
History: Ethical review has its roots in the need to protect research subjects, especially after historical events such as the Nuremberg Trials in the 1940s, which exposed abuses in medical research. Following these events, fundamental ethical principles were established, such as informed consent and risk assessment. In the following decades, ethics committees and guidelines for ethical review were formalized in various disciplines, including medical and social research. In the 21st century, with the rise of artificial intelligence, ethical review has evolved to address new challenges related to privacy, autonomy, and algorithmic bias.
Uses: Ethical review is primarily used in the field of scientific and medical research, where study protocols are evaluated to ensure the protection of participants. It is also applied in the development of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, where the ethical implications of algorithms and their impact on society are analyzed. Additionally, it is used in the evaluation of public policies and social programs to ensure that human rights are respected and social justice is promoted.
Examples: An example of ethical review can be found in clinical trials, where ethics committees review protocols to ensure that participants provide informed consent and that risks are minimized. In the field of artificial intelligence, organizations have implemented ethical reviews to assess the impact of their technologies on privacy and fairness. Another case is in biotechnology research, where risks associated with genetic manipulation and its ethical implications are evaluated.
